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~ KATALEYA ~ ‘Stay away from me!’ ‘W-why?’ The air whooshes from my lungs on a broken gasp. ‘I hate you! I hate the fact that I ever met you!’ Guilt rips through me as tears burn my eyes, blurring my vision until I can barely make out his handsome face, contorted with ruthless fury. ‘You cost me my entire future!’ I clamp my hands over my ears, trying to drown out the harsh cries of anger, but his anguished voice continues to penetrate my mind. ‘I should have left you to die!’ My lungs stop working, the air within them quickly turning stagnant. How could he say such a thing? I’m sorry… It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. ‘It’s your fault that everything went wrong!’ No, please stop. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I don’t know how much more of this I can take before I shatter completely. ‘I hate you!’ Those cruel words are the last thing I hear, the final blow of agony that rips me from my thoughts and brings me back to the present. I blink rapidly, quickly swiping the tear
~ KATALEYA ~ Staring down at the picture, my memories bleed into my reality until I can taste the salty tears that once ran down my face onto my lips. I look away only when the pain in my chest becomes too much to bear. All my life I was treated like a princess, taken care of by my family and our pack. Not only because I am the daughter of the Lycan King but also because of what happened back then, back when our two packs collided. I was six years old when I was kidnapped by them. I still remember being carried away, hoping that my daddy will save me… but he didn’t come and I was locked away by the monster who had taken me; Sebastian Escarra, the previous Alpha of The Fuego De Ceniza Pack. A man who had sold his soul to the devil himself. Enrique, Sebastian Escarra’s own son, had been the light that protected me from the darkness, filling me with the beacon of hope even on the worst of days, one who brought me some solace. Like all things in life, his act of kindness came at a s
~ ENRIQUE ~ The smell of perfume and alcohol fills my nose as I sit on the couch in the booth in the VIP lounge of the club. A place I come often enough for a little distraction from my own mind, duties, and demons. I swirl the drink in my glass as I watch the three women in nothing but thongs and jewelled nipple coverings dance around the poles, grinding their bodies against one another sensually. For a moment they manage to capture my attention as two of them rub their boobs together, their hands running over one another’s thick ass. They’re curvy, with meat on them just like I like them, but it’s not enough tonight. Even when they glance at me before they begin to kiss each other, it doesn’t manage to distract me entirely. They’re satisfying enough to look at, but it’s doing nothing for me. One of them is my usual, and the other two I selected on my way in, but tonight I’m unable to keep my mind off work. Two women sit beside me, stroking my chest and thighs, promising a good
~ KATALEYA ~ “No thank you, I don’t want anything…” I freeze, realising who had just asked me. That deep baritone sends shivers down my spine, and I can’t help but stare at that perfectly chiselled jaw as he looks ahead. Goddess… He looks even more breathtakingly handsome than the picture, and my heart is racing a thousand beats per hour as I take in that tan skin, that rugged stubble, that sharp nose. He’s here… beside me. Those years of waiting and yearning for him, they’re over… he’s right here, just a touch away. There are not enough words to explain this moment that I have dreamt of for years. Time seems to stand still and it’s just the two of us. Gone is the pounding music of the club, the shouting and commotion of those around us… I gaze up at him as he downs his drink. It’s just the two of us… The moment the glass is slammed down, I’m thrown back into the present. Say something! But my lips are not cooperating. Being so close to him has rendered me speechless and a
~ ENRIQUE ~“And you expect me to believe that a woman took all seven of you out?” I ask coldly, glaring at the idiots before me.“Yes, Alpha, we don’t know why she even did that... She first tried to seduce me and when I declined… well, she started acting out.” Idiot number one says.I stare down at the woman who is still unconscious as she’s lying on the couch in my office, with my jacket over her ass. I don’t know why she’s wearing such a revealing dress. It’s obvious none of these assholes could keep their eyes off her, and it’s irritating me.“Why do I feel that this entire story is a lie?” I ask venomously. These men are from the most recent pack I’ve taken control of, and I don’t trust the sleaze balls.“Alpha, it’s no problem. Just let her go,” Idiot number two adds.“Why? Do you have something to hide?” I ask, turning and glaring coldly at the man who had spoken. He’s sporting a bloody nose and I’m no fool… besides, none of them dared answer my question.“No! No, Alpha, not
~ ENRIQUE ~ The sudden urge to tear her clothes off sneaks into my mind and I tense, pushing myself off her.What the fuck?I quickly jerk away as if I’ve just been burned, glaring at the culprit behind this, yet she lays there looking all innocent but at the same time absolutely fucking sexy and fuckable- a pout on her plump lips as she lays there breathing hard, the faint outline of her nipples visible through her fitted dress.Right… It's too hot in here. Is the air conditioning not working?Frowning, I glare at the woman on the bed. I better bind her before she goes looking for someone to fuck. There’s a knock on the open door and Carlos stands there.“Bind her,” I order, brushing past him, and without a glance back I make my way to my quarters, which cover half of the top floor. I shut the door behind me, the click echoing loudly in the room.Crossing the room, I enter my office, shutting the door behind me before I walk over to one of the many shelves and take down a small wood
~ KATALEYA ~ I slowly sit up, unable to pretend that it didn’t hurt. His touch lingers, burning my skin where he had gripped my face tightly. I slip my hands out of the ropes I have already loosened and touch my cheek. For a moment I truly felt that he did recognise me… but then it seemed he didn’t… or did he? I shake my head, trying to clear my circling thoughts. Sighing heavily, I rub my wrists gently, watching the bruises fade slightly. Bending down, I make quick work of removing the rope laced with wolfsbane from my ankles. ‘Valentina?’ I call. ‘Goddess! Kat! I was this close to calling Alpha Leo!’ she growls. We had already discussed a plan and I’m grateful she didn’t jump in to attack and followed my instructions. ‘Sorry, but I’m fine, I’m here in his pack house I think…’ I say, looking around. ‘Oh? So how did he feel knowing it was you?’ she asks excitedly, all annoyance gone. ‘He doesn’t know who I am… yet. I think… But I’m fine. I don’t know where my phone is, or if
KATALEYA. My eyes fly open at those words. “No, not at-” “Don’t lie to me. What is it? Never seen an Alpha with a disability?” He throws at me venomously, his eyes filled with contempt as he sits back in his throne-like chair. He doesn’t even need a throne. The power that radiates off him is enough of a reminder to show who wears the crown here. He is the Alpha, there’s no doubt about that, but his aura intrigues me. How powerful is he? “Are you going to stare all day? This isn’t a circus.” My heart constricts at his words, and I shake my head. “No, it’s not that – I… Having a disability never makes a person beneath anyone or any less capable. My mother has a disability, but it does not stop her from being the most incredible woman ever. I admire her, and I can also see that you too are a great Alpha.” He cocks a brow, scoffing contemptuously as he opens his drawer and takes out a cigarette, deftly placing it between those gorgeous lips of his, and flicking the lighter as he li
~ KATALEYA ~It’s too intense, the power around me is excruciating, tearing into my skin, the pain making my eyes sear and it’s too much… I’m falling deeper into the depths of wherever this is.The Goddess’s scream of rage claws inside of my head and it’s as if it’s about to burst. The crawlers’ screams keep intensifying until my ears are ringing and then everything mutes out.I can’t breathe, and my body soon becomes numb. The pain is too intense to focus on anymore. I’m falling quickly, spiralling and falling, and the pain suddenly disappears and all I can feel is an empty dark blanket all around me.I think I’m floating in nothingness. I can’t see anything… I’m not sure if my eyes are open or shut.Where am I?Where is this place?My body isn’t hurting anymore, but I also can’t move at all. Is this the afterlife?Is there really no heaven? Is it just… emptiness?‘Heaven? You will never enter heaven, not after what you did.’The Goddess, she’s still here, but I can’t feel the power
~ KATALEYA ~I wake with a gasp, my lungs clawing for air, it feels like I’m drowning. I suck in a breath, clutching my throat. My heart is thudding but it’s as if the sound of it is coming from all around me, reverberating through the chilling darkness. It’s too silent.This place… it’s similar to Azarakh’s crypt, but not quite.It holds the same evil. Feeling something move, I look down and realise something cold and slimy is clinging to my legs, black tendrils - slithering as though alive.I gasp as I scramble to my feet or try to. The stench of rotting meat and damp earth so thick it feels like it’s inside of my mouth. Shuddering, I try to get up quickly, flinching as pain rushes up my waist and I touch it; there’s no wound, but the pain remains.How did I even get here?I frown slightly, trying to remember what happened.That woman! Her face was so warm and innocent. Was she a part of this? I touch my head. It hurts too.Dragging myself to my feet from the tar-like slime that cove
~ SKYLA ~Rayhan…I won’t forget this moment, and it won’t be one of those good, happy memories. This one is devastating. The heartbroken Delsanra who has always rushed to help others despite the risk to her own life. Ray…. Ri…Despite everything, they always were there for us, but in their time of need, where the fuck were we?Fuck! Why them?Raihana now wraps her arms around Delsanra as both women kneel on the ground, their grief so strong, their pain so sharp it could carve away flesh from bone.There has to be something we can do!Enrique is examining the symbols, his power swirling around him subtly.I look up at Royce, “Let’s try to open the portal, maybe he’s ok. Royce, Dante, you both saw the symbols-”“It’s too late for that. Kiara said Ahren felt the shift in power. He is now the Alpha of the Black Storm Pack,” Dad says brokenly.“How can he be Alpha?! He doesn’t even have his wolf!” I shout. This can’t be happening!“Love…” Royce wraps his arms around me tightly.“We have to
~ DELSANRA ~“Rayhan…”Something isn’t right, I know it.I know I shouldn’t leave my spot, but the worst is sorted. I warn a few of the warriors I’m moving, and I rush to the crack where Rayhan and the others disappeared. I jump in, creating a barrier around me to protect myself from the crawlers that are still trickling out from the ground.They’re coming in smaller doses now, but they are still resilient.“Does anyone know if they managed to find the opening?” I ask worriedly.“No, not yet. We lost contact ” Liam replies, worry clear in his voice.He’s currently manning the break in the packhouse wall, making sure no crawlers get inside to the people.“We need to get down there!” I hear Sky shout from somewhere above.“What happened?” I ask.“I don’t know. Royce called for help!”My heart thuds as I keep going, moving as fast as possible.I can sense both her and Raihana not far behind me, the urgency and fear within me growing. I suddenly stop as a powerful pulsating that comes from
~ ROYCE ~We kept going down, and the deeper we go, the more I feel a power that is fucking immense and there’s only one other aura I’ve felt with this much power and that was Apophis’.“Do you guys feel it?” I ask, my voice low, but even then, it feels too loud in this darkness. Occasionally, a crawler or two will hiss and claw at us as they come from somewhere beneath us. A confirmation that we are headed in the right direction.“The aura?” Dante mutters. “Yeah, and I have no idea who it belongs to.”His unease is obvious, and I remain on alert. My royal mark is glowing, and I am not the one who is summoning it forth. Almost as if it too is warning me of the dangers ahead.“Don’t worry I won’t let anything happen to you both.” Rayhan jokes, although we’re both stronger than him.“Don’t fuck around,” Dante’s harsh reply comes.Rayhan turns to him, a flicker of concern on his face. “Dante, do you want to turn back?” he asks.“All three of us?” Dante replies.“I speak for myself. You tw
~ ENRIQUE ~Magic fills the air, strong and powerful and I know it’s Raihana’s. I can feel Delsanra’s reinforcing the barriers, her magic feels different, and there are parts that are not like ours – not from Hecate.Raihana is working on blocking out the moonlight, in a huge attempt to completely stop the crawlers from coming out of whatever shithole they are coming from. Jose quickly filled me in, and I sent more power to both witches, giving them the strength to continue.They are two witches alone and they are doing a lot. Royce, Rayhan and Dante have gone down to find the exact location. ‘Send some warriors to handle the crawlers so they are not burdened.’ I command Jose.It doesn’t even make sense that so many crawlers are able to get in. It’s not a fissure in the veil, but that’s something that’s been obvious from the start. The crawlers have appeared everywhere at any time, not from one point like the chupacabras. They had a different way to get through. Another means that we n
~ KATALEYA ~My eyes widen as I turn sharply and stare into Enrique’s molten gold eyes.“Enrique!”‘No!’ Azarakh shrieks, the earsplitting sound hammering into my head causing me to flinch.“I’m sorry it took a while,” Enrique murmurs in his deep, beautiful voice that makes my stomach flutter. I shake my head before looking back towards the spot where Dad had fallen. I can’t see him! I can’t sense a heartbeat amongst the storm of crawlers.“How did you break free?” I ask softly, torn between running to Dad and keeping my hold on Azarakh.I know Enrique is in control for now. I can sense his presence, his aura strong and free from darkness.“You needed me,” he answers softly as he stands tall. “You’re my strength, Mi Amor.” My heart surges with so much emotion as we gaze into one another’s eyes, pink and gold, perfectly complimenting each other.Azarakh’s form has solidified as he fights to keep a grasp on Enrique, but he’s failing.His unearthly shrieks are all that he has left as Enr
~ KATALEYA ~Azarakh’s mouth twists into a snarl as he lifts his claws, aiming for my heart. I can see the glint of triumph as he lunges at me, but I hold my ground, letting him think he’s got me. But the moment his claws dig into my waist, slicing through fabric and skin, the smell of the hot rush of blood, and the sharp sting of agony makes me cry out. I suck in a gasp, gritting my teeth as I clamp my hand around his wrist, ignoring the searing pain at the contact.In a single motion, I call forth every ounce of power I have, letting it surge forward in a blinding wave. A scream leaves me as I put everything into it. My blinding pink aura swirls around him in a flash, engulfing him completely. Azarakh recoils, his shrieks cutting through the night like metal scraping against metal. He claws at his prison of light, his form writhing, his shadowy form twisting in agony as he tries to escape and get away from my aura.But not this time. My aura is like an iron cage holding firm, shackli
~ KATALEYA ~‘We can share! I told you together we could have had it all. Yet you declined!’ Azarakh hisses, but he’s still only clinging to Enrique. The shadow form still surrounds him, but he hasn’t possessed him yet. Or perhaps he can’t.I fuel my power forward, trying to reach through our half-formed bond.“I would never choose you,” I say, my voice quiet yet firm. “Never.”‘You served your purpose, and you will continue to do so. That is why you were chosen, whether you wished for it or not.’ He chuckles darkly.What does he mean?“How do you have a hold on, Enrique? He is not evil,” I ask as our powers continue to slam against one another, attacking, hammering against one another. Light against dark.‘We were created from the blood of the same goddess. One could say we are brethren.’ I shudder at the very thought as his evil eyes now burn into me. His sharp teeth stained with blood. ‘The Goddess Hecate created us for another goddess, yet she betrayed my goddess by creating someon